Luella Johnson

Luella “Lou” Rose Johnson (Wolf), age 84, passed away peacefully on 04/17/2024 after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's disease. Luella was born January 21st, 1940 to Frank and Otilla Wolf, in Bismarck, North Dakota. Luella, along with her parents, and four brothers moved from Arcadia, California in 1947 to Washington State and settled in the Yakima Valley. She graduated from Zillah High School in 1957 where she was involved in Future Homemakers of America, Chorus, and Majorettes. Lou married Davey Rhode in 1959 and became mother to her four sons Brian, Ned, Grant, and Marty. Her boys and her jobs at Del Monte and later at Pay’n’Pak kept her busy. In 1979 she married Jack Johnson, welcoming children Neal and Ama to her family. At age 72, after her diagnosis, Lou made the decision to retire from a job she loved at Yakima County Courthouse serving a fulfilling job as a court clerk. After retirement she enjoyed the time spent with her friend Johnny Walker camping in the mountains. Luella was known as a kind and outgoing woman who was always willing to help family, friends, and community members. She made a tradition of making breakfast for all classmates of her boys graduating classes the morning after commencement. Lou liked to keep herself busy. She enjoyed the thrill of skydiving, rooting for her favorite hydroplane boat the Pay n Pak, going to Seahawk games, also serving as President of the Yakima County Seattle Seahawks Fan Club, visiting family on the weekends and spending countless hours puttering outside, all the while humming a tune. Lou is a beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Otillia Wolf, brothers Leonard, Paul and Arvin Wolf, and sons Brian Rhode, Marty Rhode, and Neal Johnson. She is survived by brothers Wally (Betty) Wolf and Clifford (Eyvonne) Wolf, both of Zillah, Sons, Ned (Terri) Rhode of Zillah, Grant (Michelle) Rhode of Satus, Daughter in-law Susan Rhode and Daughter Ama Roth both of Kennewick, grandchildren Joseph, Briana, Nicholas, Andrea, Cheriese, Tara, Brittany, Angie, Sammy, Kasey, Jacob, and Sky as well numerous great-grandchildren. Viewing will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah, WA on 4/22/2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Toppenish, WA on 04/23/2024 at 11:30 a.m. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Luella Johnson, please visit our flower store.